In "low german" Biele means Beil and that means hatchet. At that time, each family belonged to a guild. The ax is the sign for butcher. The duck is the animal which was slaughtered. The water also has a meaning. It is an indication of milling and brewing rights.
At Haus Biele in Hovestadt the family operated a guest house and a distillery. See Haus Biele blog post from Dec 2012
There is a tradition in Germany within some Biele families for parents to give their children a ring with the family crest on their 18th birthday. Boys often get one in gold and girls with lapislazuli and onyx.
Biele crest that hung in Haus Biele |
Biele crest on the label of a liquor from the Biele distillary |
Biele crest on a signet ring |